Niger coup: Fact-checking misinformation spreading online ( www.bbc.com )

Niger military not detaining foreigners

As some European countries began evacuating their citizens following the coup, an unfounded claim started circulating that the junta had ordered the army to detain Europeans.

It alleged this was done to get Western countries to withdraw their forces from Niger.

The claim seems to be based on a call by the M62 movement, which is a pro-junta and anti-French group, for European nationals to be held hostage until foreign forces leave.

The group, however, does not represent the junta.